Locking device for automatic weighing-scales.



E. E. BURROWS.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC WEIGHING SCALES. APPLICATION FILED APR. 28. 1916.

1,223,764. Patented Apr. 24, 1917.

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E. E. BURROWS.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC WEIGHING SCALES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 28. ms.

1,223,764. Patented Apr. 24,1917.

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pnrrn srn nnr orrren ERNEST E. BURROWS, 6F ST. JGHNSBURY, VERIL'REONT, ASSIGNOR TO E. AND T. FAIR- BANKS AND COMPANY, OF ST. JOHN-SBURY, VERMONT, A CORPORATION OF VER- MONT.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC WEIGHING-SCALES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 24, 1917.

Application filed April 28, 1918. Serial No. 94,113.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, Ennnsr E. BURRows, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at St. Johnsbury, in the county of Caledonia and State of Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locking Devices for Automatic Weighing-Scales, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to automatic weighing scales and more particularly to grainweighing scales of the type in which inlet and outlet gates control the admission and discharge of grain, said gates being interconnected by a mechanism for operating the one from the other. The present invention relates to improvement in a locking device for the gate-operating mechanism, by which accidental opening of the inlet-gate during the hopper-discharging period is prevented.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevation of a weighing scale to which my improvement is applied;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of the locking mechanism; and

Fig. 3 is an end elevation thereof.

A is the hopper, B is the discharge gate hinged to the lower end of the hopper and C and I) are the toggle-levers connected with the gate 13, by which it is held in locked position. The toggle lever D is connected with a bell-crank arm E, which in the closing movement of the gate B will strike against a lever F for tripping the locking mechanism of the inlet gate. On the other hand, when the hopper is loaded the lever F will trip toward the bell-crank lever E, breaking the locking joint of the toggles C and I), and permitting the lower gate B to open by the weight of grain. It is important to prevent the accidental opening of the upper gate before the complete discharge of the contents of the hopper and the locking and closing of the lower gate. Heretofore a locking bar has been provided for this purpose, said bar being arranged to slide horizontally into the path of the lever F so as to prevent the depression of said lever. The locking bar is actuated both when projected and retracted by the kick of the toggle-lever, but as heretofore constructed the movement is not positive and the locking is therefore uncertain. I have avoided this uncertainty by a construction of mechanism in which the locking bar is positively actuated in both directions, the construction being as follows:

G is the locking bar, preferably provided '*ith a head G for engaging the lever F and a shank G which is guided between antifriction rolls H. I is a link pivotally connected to the shank G and at its opposite'end pivoted to an ear J projecting from the toggle-link D. The arrangement is such that in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2, the bar G is retracted, permitting the lever F to be depressed. On the other hand, in the position shown in dotted lines, where the toggle levers have been tripped and moved in a position for opening the lower gate B, the bar G will be projected forward into the dotted position, where it will intercept the lever F.

The mechanism above described, although very simple in construction, forms a valuable improvement, as it eliminates the possi bility of accidental unlocking of the upper gate without in any way interfering with the proper operation of the gate-controlling mechanism.

l/Vhat I claim as my invention is 1. In a scale, the combination with a toggle locking mechanism for the discharge gate and a cooperating lever for controlling the upper gate, of a reciprocating locking member for holding said lever from tripping, and a positive mechanical connection between said locking mechanism and said toggle mechanism in both directions.

2. In a scale, the combination with a toggle locking mechanism for the discharge gate and a cooperating lever for the upper gate adapted to mutually trip each other, of a reciprocating locking bar for holding the lever for the upper gate from tripping while said toggle locking mechanism is in tripped position, and a pivotal positive actuating connection between said toggle locking mechanism and said locking bar in both directions of movement.

8. In a scale, the combination with a toggle locking mechanism for the lower gate, provided with a striker arm, and a cooperating lever for controlling the upper gate, said lever and striker arm being adapted to mutually trip each other, of a laterally-slidable bar for holding said lever from being tripped while said toggle mechanism is in tripped position, and a pivotal link connecting said bar with said toggle mechanism to positively project and Withdraw the bar.

4. In a scale, the combination with a toggle locking mechanism for the discharge gate having a bell-crank striker arm, and a lever controlling the upper gate cooperating With said striker arm to mutually trip each other, of a. locking bar for holding said lever from tripping, and a link connecting said locking bar with said toggle mechanism of the toggle and in advance of the tripping 15 of said lever.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ERNEST E. BURR OVS. Witnesses J. H. A. BORNFIELD, G120. A. BOLLINGED.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

